Blog #2

People handle serious illnesses differently. However, if it is an epidemic like Ebola, it is usually handled with panic and fear by humans who haven’t contracted it. America had that huge Ebola scare a few years ago that caused mass panic within the public. Everyone feared being ill, was afraid that something harmless could cause them to contract the virus, and hospitals were generally crowded with worried people. Those who do contract a serious illness, usually counteract it with denial that they are actually sick and attempt to continue on with their normal lifestyle. Examples of this would be the individuals who had contracted the virus in The Hot Zone. Dr. Musoke who had contracted the virus from Charles Monet denied his sickness and continued on with his work as evident on page 23. “He gave himself a course of antibiotic pills, but that had no effect on his illness. Meanwhile his patients needed him, and continued to work at the hospital.” Another example would be Nurse Mayinga, who refused to seek treatment from her own hospital and wandered around to different hospitals instead. Her denial can be seen on page 83, “she knew she was becoming sick, but she did not want to admit to herself what it was.” A personal experience of mine would be what my brother had done several years ago. He was not feeling well, but still remained adamant about going to Disneyworld with us. In the end, he had thrown up on the slowest ride out of the whole entire amusement park.